Exercise methods and device

ABSTRACT

The present subject matter describes alternative treatments for infertility employing physical therapy methods for improving the fertility in women. The subject matter methods and apparatus teach a series of exercises to improve blood flow to critical organs within the human body, regulate menstruation, stimulate ovulation, and to make the uterus more conducive to conception, and prepare the body for child bearing by alleviating gynecological ailments. The treatments and methods may improve the health and well being of the individual and improve fertility in women.

FIELD OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

The subject matter relates to exercise methods and devices for health,specifically, methods of exercise for enhancing and promoting fertilityand wellness, as well as devices incorporated into the methods ofexercise for enhancing and promoting fertility and wellness.

BACKGROUND OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extentas if each individual publication or patent application was specificallyand individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Thefollowing description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission thatany of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to thepresently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specificallyor implicitly referenced is prior art.

The number of couples undergoing infertility treatment has risensignificantly in the past two decades. The 1998 U.S. National Survey ofFamily Growth reported that the incidence of impaired fecundity(involuntary fertility compromise) rose significantly between 1982 and1995 in all reproductive-age groups. However, as most experts haveattributed the increase in impaired fecundity to the population of babyboomers who often delay childbearing, it was tremendously disturbing tolearn that the biggest increase (42 percent) was in women under 25(compared to 12 percent and 6 percent for women 25 to 34 and 35 to 44years old, respectively) (A. Chandra and E. Stephen, Impaired Fecundityin the United States: 1982-1995. Family Planning Perspectives30(1):34-42 [1988]; T. Schettler, Infertility and Related ReproductiveDisorders. [2003]). Worldwide, it is estimated that one in seven,couples have problems conceiving, with the incidence consistent in mostcountries independent of the country's level of development.

Numerous theories have been provided in attempting to explain the risein infertility, including environmental factors and dietary changesleading to increased physiological difficulties. The consensus amongstphysicians is that the rise in infertility due to physiologicalproblems, including blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis or pelvicscarring in women, and low sperm count or abnormal sperm in men, isattributed to a host of factors that result in the alarming infertilitynumbers we have seen in the last two decades.

However, physicians have identified a class of infertility cases whichcannot be explained, where women and men do not exhibit anyphysiological abnormalities. Approximately 15% of infertility casesinvestigated fail to show any physiological issues and are mystery tophysicians. This rise of unexplained infertility cases and general risein impaired fecundity has sprouted numerous theories in attempting toexplain the rise in infertility, including environmental changes,dietary changes, as well as increased stress levels in would-be parentsand lack of exercise.

While doctors are quick to point out that there is not enough data todraw a correlation between the rise in infertility and the theorizedexplanations, what has been discovered is that “when stress-reductiontechniques are employed, something happens in some women that allowsthem to get pregnant when they couldn't get pregnant before” (AllenMorgan, MD, director of Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine inLakewood, N.J.). This phenomenon is further manifested in instances whencouples have exhausted all fertility options and opt to adopt a child,only to get pregnant almost immediately after the adoption.

Present methods for managing infertility may be grouped as medicaltreatments or alternative treatments, with some methods being used inconcert with one another.

Medical treatment of infertility generally involves the use ofmedication, surgery, or both. If the sperm are of good quality, and themechanics of the woman's reproductive structures are sound (patentfallopian tubes, no adhesions or scarring), physicians could prescribe acourse of ovarian stimulating medication, and may also suggestintrauterine insemination (“IUI”), in which a doctor introduces sperminto the uterus during ovulation, via a catheter. These methods aregenerally considered as conservative options which allow forfertilization to occur inside the body of the woman.

If conservative medical treatments are unsuccessful and fail to achievea full term pregnancy, physicians may suggest in vitro fertilization(“IVF”). IVF is a much more invasive method in which the ovaries arestimulated to increase egg production, and a physician surgicallyextracts one or more eggs from the ovary. The extracted egg is unitedwith sperm in a laboratory setting, with the intent of producing one ormore embryos. Fertilization takes place outside the body, and thefertilized egg is reinserted into the woman's reproductive tract, in aprocedure called embryo transfer. Alternative invasive medicaltechniques may include tuboplasty, assisted hatching, andpreimplantation genetic diagnosis.

To date, three alternative female infertility treatments have been shownto have a significant effect on impaired fecundity. All three methodsare supported by scientific results published in peer-reviewed medicaljournals.

The first alternative treatment is Group Psychological Intervention, andis supported by a 2000 Harvard Medical School study examining theeffects of Group Psychological Intervention on infertile women who havebeen trying to conceive. The results of the study showed that the twointervention groups, a support group and a stress management group, hadstatistically significant higher pregnancy rates than the control group.The stress management group participated in a 10-week course focusing onrelaxation techniques, including meditation, progressive musclerelaxation, imagery, and yoga. The support group also met for 10 weeks,two hours each week, to discuss issues related to their infertility andtreatment. Participants in all three groups were of similar ages andbackgrounds, and were receiving similar fertility treatments. All womenwho remained in the study were followed for a year. During that time,55% of the women who had received stress-management therapy becamepregnant, as did 54% of those who received support group therapy. Only20% of the women in the group that received no psychologicalintervention became pregnant, but 60% of the control group had droppedout of the study before its completion.

Another alternative treatment shown to be effective in increasingfertility is acupuncture. Studies have shown that acupuncture performed25 minutes before and after IVF embryo transfer increased IVF pregnancyrates in a German study published in 2002 (E. Stener-Victorin and P.Humaidan, Use of Acupuncture in Female Infertility and a Summary ofRecent Acupuncture Studies Related to Embryo Transfer. Acupunct. Med.December 2006; 24(4): 157-63. PMID 17264833). In a similar studyconducted by The University of South Australia in 2006, the acupuncturegroup's odds of getting pregnant (although not statisticallysignificant) were 1.5% higher than the control group (Wurn B. F. et al.,Treating Female Infertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates with aManual Physical Therapy Technique. Med Gen Med Jun. 18, 2004; 6(2): 51.PMID 15266276). Although definitive results of the effects ofacupuncture on embryo transfer remain a topic of discussion, studyauthors state that it appears to be a safe adjunct to IVF (Wurn B. F. etal., Treating Female Infertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates witha Manual Physical Therapy Technique. Med Gen Med Jun. 18, 2004; 6(2):51. PMID 15266276; Wurn B. F. et al., Treating Fallopian Tube Occlusionwith a Manual Pelvic Physical Therapy. Altern. Ther. Health MedJanuary-February 2008; 14(1):18-23. PMID 18251317).

The third alternative is manual manipulative physical, therapy. Manualmanipulative physical therapy treatments have been shown in peerreviewed publications to improve natural and IVF pregnancy rates ininfertile women. In a 2004 study, the data trend suggested that theinnovative site-specific protocol of manual soft-tissue therapyfacilitated fertility in women with a wide array of adhesion-relatedinfertility and biomechanical reproductive organ dysfunction. Thetherapy, designed to improve function by restoring visceral, osseous,and soft-tissue mobility, was nonsurgical, noninvasive and had no risksand few, if any, adverse side effects or complications (Wurn B. F. etal., Treating Female Infertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates witha Manual Physical Therapy Technique. Med Gen Med Jun. 18, 2004; 6(2):51, PMID 15266276).

Further studies in 2008 showed promising results in using physicaltherapy to open and return function to blocked fallopian tubes resultingin increased fertility (Wurn B. F. et al., Treating Fallopian TubeOcclusion with a Manual Pelvic Physical Therapy. Altern. Ther. HealthMed January-February 2008; 14(1):18-23. PMID 18251317). Although thetherapies were designed to address adhesions restricting function andmobility of the reproductive organs (Wurn B. F. et al., Treating FemaleInfertility and Improving IVF Pregnancy Rates with a Manual PhysicalTherapy Technique. Med Gen Med Jun. 18, 2004; 6(2): 51. PMID 15266276;Wurn B. F. et al., Treating Fallopian Tube Occlusion with a ManualPelvic Physical Therapy. Altern. Ther. Health Med. January-February2008; 14(1):18-23. PMID 18251317), physical therapy has also lead toimproved fertility in patients exhibiting functional reproductivesystems.

The present subject matter focuses on alternative treatments forinfertility and, in particular, physical therapy methods and forimproving fertility in women. As several studies have shown, theproblems of Infertility are seldom due entirely to physical causes, butare often related to stress and/or lack of physical, activity. Thesubject matter methods and apparatus teaches, a series of exercisesknown to improve blood flow to critical organs within the human body,stimulate ovulation to make the uterus more conducive to conception, andprepare the body for child bearing, all of which improve fertility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced Figures. It isintended that the embodiments and Figures disclosed herein areconsidered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 is a representative image of the Sukhasana Pose in accordancewith an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a representative image of the Support Bridge Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a representative image of the Support Bridge Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a representative image of the Abdominal Massage Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a representative image of the Viparita Karani Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a representative image of the Hall-Shoulder Stand Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 7 is a representative image of the Inverted Baddha Konasana pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a representative image of the Inverted Upavistha Konasana posein accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a representative image of the Savasana pose in accordance withan embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a representative image of the Full-Shoulder Stand Pose inaccordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart identifying the poses in accordance with anembodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SUBJECT MATTER

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety as though fully set forth. Unless defined otherwise, technicaland scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subjectmatter belongs. One skilled in the art will recognize many methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein, which couldbe used in the practice of the present subject matter. Indeed, thepresent subject matter is in no way limited to the methods and materialsdescribed.

The present subject matter provides methods and apparatus for treatinginfertility in women incorporating physical therapy to improve bloodflow to critical organs within the human body, stimulate ovulation tomake the uterus more conducive to conception, promote physical andmental wellness and health, and prepare the body for child bearing. Inpreferred embodiments the subject matter is directed to a series ofposes utilizing the subject matter apparatus, for increasing fertility.

The subject matter provides methods and an apparatus by whichincremental stretches and manipulation of muscles can be achieved,incorporating acupressure points for stimulation. Continuous stretchesare also possible. Preferably, the apparatus and its utilization invarious poses, including the exercise program, is entirely under thecontrol of the participating individual.

The disclosed apparatus comprises an inflatable elastic athletic ballwith a circumference ranging from three inches to ten inches. The ballmay be composed of polymers, elastomers or rubbers, or a combinationthereof, and have a durometer ranging from 10 to 30. The ball may beconstructed of a non-endocrine disrupting material. The ball can bemanufactured using existing and well-known technologies, and can includean external pump for inflation and deflation. In a preferred embodiment,the ball is inflated to an appropriate pressure to achieve the desiredlevel of stretching and manipulation of muscles. This provides a widerange of movement, and a wide variety of stretching and flexing routinesfor an individual using the ball. For a individual lying race-up, theapparatus may be placed generally underneath the individual's back,pelvis, or generally between the individual's legs. For a person lyingface-down, the apparatus may be placed generally underneath theindividual's abdomen, pelvis, or generally between the individual'slegs. For a person lying on his or her side, the apparatus may be placedgenerally underneath the individual's abdomen, hips, or generallybetween the individual's legs. If desired, additional balls may beprovided for supplemental placement.

In use, an individual executes a number of poses commencing with thefirst pose consisting of: sitting in a comfortable cross legged positionand placing a first ball 20 beneath the sit bones toward the perineumfloor. The individual then breathes deeply for at least one minute,allowing the soft muscle tissue in the hips and thighs to conform aroundthe first ball 20. This pose helps widen the sit bones, activates thebase of the pelvic floor and softens tension in the surrounding pelvisand hips. A rendering of this pose can be seen in FIG. 1.

Thereafter, the individual lays on the floor with their knees bent belowtheir back, with feet and knees a hip distance apart, and places a firstball 20 at the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) asseen in FIG. 2. Laying in this position, the individual rotates theirbody on the first ball 20 at least three times in a clockwise direction,allowing the pelvis to be massaged by the first ball 20. The individualthen rotates their body on the first ball 20 at least three times in acounter-clockwise direction. This exercise helps bring circulation tothe sacral plexus of nerve endings which feed the reproductive organs.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the individual then places a second ball 22between the knees at the inside of the thighs, approximately a handslength distance from the knee, and alternates gently squeezing andpulsing the second ball 22. This exercise activates and regulates bloodflow, improving circulation in the uterus, cervix, vagina and fallopiantubes. The individual then removes the first ball 20 beneath the sacrumand uses the second ball 22 found between the knees to squeeze theSpleen Chi Meridian line from the knees upward to the pubic bone,squeezing the second ball 22 at 2 inch intervals up and down the innerthigh to activate the Meridian Line.

The individual then unwinds from the previous posture, removing thefirst ball 20 and second ball 22, and lays on their back with the solesof their feet together, knees open, and places the first ball 20 on theabdomen with both the left hand and right hand resting on top of oneanother on a first ball 20 (see FIG. 4). Starting at the diaphragm, justbeneath the floating ribs, the individual, gently pushes down on thefirst ball 20 and hold for at least two second, then releases. The firstball 20 is then moved down the centerline of the abdomen at one to twoinch intervals, gently pushing down on the first ball 20 and holding forat least two second, then releasing. This pattern is continued down thecenterline of the abdomen all the way to the pubic bone. At the pubicbone, the individual then begins to circle the first ball 20 to theright, moving in a clockwise motion, with the individual gently pushingdown on the first ball 20 and holding for at least two second, thenreleasing. As the first ball 20 returns to the pubic bone, theindividual continues with smaller and smaller circles of pressure pointswith, the first ball 20 around the abdomen in a spiral, until the firstball 20 reaches the center of the belly button. At the belly button, theindividual gently pushed down on the first ball 20 for at least threeseconds, while focusing on breathing. This exercise is referenced hereforth as the Abdominal Massage.

The individual then repeats the Abdominal Massage exercise withoutpausing. The individual, makes smooth circles, with the first ball 20,around the belly in a clockwise direction, going slowly and beingconscious of the first ball 20 massaging the reproductive organs. Thisexercise leads to increased circulation to the abdomen and reproductiveorgans, which moves energetic and physical soft tissue obstructions toenhance fertility function. It is essential that the first ball 20 beworked in the clockwise direction in order to follow the naturaldirection of digestion in the colon.

In an alternative embodiment, the Abdominal Massage and posesestablished there from may be completed by keeping the knees up and feeton the floor, rather than placing the feet together with the knees open.

To prepare for the next pose, the individual sits adjacent to a wail andswings their legs up the wall so they are forming an “L” shape withtheir back on the floor and legs up the wall. By bending the knees withthe feet on the wall to lift the hips, the individual places the firstball 20 on the sacrum and positions it until the pelvis is level,resting the pelvis of the first ball 20 as seen in FIG. 5. This positionallows the pelvis to be above the heart and pools the energy in thepelvis, calming the heart and mind. This pose is highly beneficial tothe reproductive organs of the individual, and calms the nervous systemalong with restoring the body. Once in this position, the individualcommences physical therapy by placing a second ball 22 between the legs,above the knees, and squeezing the second ball 22 to increase energy inthe spleen meridian, which modulates blood flow to the reproductiveorgans.

In another embodiment, the pose practiced in FIG. 5 is augmented by theindividual rotating the shoulders under the body, and lifting the feetaway from the wall, coming into a long straight line with the body, asseen in FIG. 10. The pose is continued by squeezing the second ball 22between the individual's inner thighs, while the individual maintains aninternal rotation in the legs to keep the sacrum wide and retrains fromsqueezing the buttocks.

The individual now unwinds from the previous pose and rests on the floorwith their feet up the wall, and places the first ball 20 between thelegs just above the knees. Bending the knees and placing the feet flaton the wall, a hip distance apart, with a gentle squeeze to hold thefirst ball 20 between their knees, the individual lifts their hips intoa shoulder stand with the feet still on the wall, as seen in FIG. 6. Bypressing their feet and gently squeezing their knees, the pose isstabilized. This pose has a nurturing effect on the body, and isparticularly helpful in regulating thyroid function.

The individual unwinds from the previous pose and lays on their backwith their feet up the wall, soles of the feet pressed together, placingthe pelvis on the first bail 20. By bending the knees and pressing theknees toward the wall, the individual opens their hips allowing thefirst ball 20 to massage the sacral plexus of nerve endings at the baseof the spine, calming the nervous system (see FIG. 7). This position isbeneficial for regulating menstrual cycles and bringing health to thereproductive organs.

In the next pose, seen in FIG. 8, the individual continues with theirlegs up the wall as in the previous pose, and begins to open their legsinto a wide straddle with the feet flexed ending in a wide “v” up thewall, pelvis still resting on the first ball 20. This pose opens theinner groins and hips and increases the energy in the reproductiveorgans, particularly the ovaries.

In completing the series of poses, the individual unwinds from theprevious pose, removing the first ball 20 from beneath the pelvis, andlays on their back, with their knees spread and soles of their feettouching. Rubbing hands together to create heat, the individual placesthe warm hands on the belly forming a downward facing triangle, with thethumbs touching at the belly button, and the fore fingers touching nearthe pubic bone (see FIG. 9). The individual now focuses on the heatgenerated from the hands and absorbs the healing efforts of the poses.This pose is known as Savasana.

A flow chart identifying the poses in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present subject matter is illustrated in FIG. 11. Although the orderof the poses described above is preferred, an individual may gainsimilar or greater benefits by reorganizing certain poses. Furthermore,an individual may gain similar or greater benefits by deleting orsupplementing certain poses due to individual limitations orconstraints, or as the individual sees fit.

In an alternative embodiment of the subject matter, inflation anddeflation of the first and second balls can be initiated to theindividual's preference. Each ball can be inflated and deflatedindependently to the end individual's desired pressure. Any level ofinflation and deflation, is within the scope of the subject matter, toprovide any poses or exercises within the methods.

In another embodiment, the individual may adjust Savasana by alternatingthe hand position with the left hand on the heart, and right hand on theabdomen. Thus helping to open communication lines between the desires ofthe heart and the seat of creation at the belly.

In one embodiment, the individual may modify Savasana to allow the armsto stretch open to the sides, with either the middle finger orforefinger touching the thumb. The touching of the middle finger withthe thumb unites the heart with the spirit. The touching of forefingerwith the thumb unites the individual's consciousness with universalconsciousness.

In an alternative embodiment, the individual may modify Savasana toallow practicing pranayama in conjunction with breathing deeply.Pranayama may include Nadi Sodhana pose. Alternate Nostril Breathingpose or other breathing techniques.

In yet another embodiment, the individual may augment Sukhasana withNadi Sodhana pose or Alternate Nostril Breathing pose or other breathingtechniques.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided to better illustrate the claimedsubject matter and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope ofthe subject matter. To the extent that specific materials are mentioned,it is merely for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limitthe subject matter. One skilled in the art may develop equivalent meansor reactants without the exercise of inventive capacity and withoutdeparting from the scope of the subject matter.

Example 1 Sukhasana Pose:

The individual sits in a comfortable cross legged position, and placesthe first elastic ball beneath the sit bones toward the perineum floor.The individual then breathes deeply for at least two minutes, allowingthe soft muscle tissue in the hips and thighs to conform around thefirst ball. A rendering of the Sukhasana Pose can be seen in FIG. 1.

Supine Supported Bridge Pose:

The individual lays on the floor with their knees bent below their back,with feet and knees hip distance apart, and places a first ball at thesacrum. Provided the individuals lower back is stable, the individualmay lay in this position and rotate their body on the first ball atleast three times in a clockwise direction, allowing the pelvis to bemassaged by the first ball. The individual then rotates their body onthe first ball at least three times in a counter-clockwise direction. Arendering of this pose can be seen in FIG. 2. The individual then placesa second ball between the knees at the inside of the thighs,approximately a hands length distance from the knee, and alternatesgently squeezing and pulsing the second ball. A rendering of this posecan be seen in FIG. 3. The individual then removes the first ball frombeneath the sacrum, and uses the second ball found between the knees tosqueeze the Spleen Chi Meridian Line, found from the knees upward to thepubic bone, squeezing the second ball at 2 inch intervals up and downthe inner thigh to activate the Meridian Line.

Abdominal Massage:

The individual then lays on their back with the soles of their feettogether, knees open, and places a first ball, on the abdomen with boththe left hand and right hand resting on top of one another on the firstball. A rendering of this pose can be seen in FIG. 4. Starting at thediaphragm, just beneath the floating ribs, the individual gently pushesdown on the first ball and hold for at least two second beforereleasing. The first ball is then moved down the centerline of theabdomen at one to two inch intervals, gently pushing down on the firstball and holding for at least two second before releasing. This patternis continued down, the centerline of the abdomen all the way to thepubic bone. At the pubic bone, the individual then begins to circle thefirst ball to the right, moving in a clockwise motion, with theindividual gently pushing down on the first ball and holding for atleast two second before releasing. As the first ball returns to thepubic bone, the individual continues with, smaller and smaller circlesof pressure points with the first ball around the abdomen in a spiraluntil the first ball reaches the center of the belly button. At thebelly button, the individual gently pushed down on the first ball for atleast three seconds, while focusing on breathing.

The individual then follows the same pattern above, except withoutpausing. The individual makes smooth circles with the first ball, aroundthe abdomen, in a clockwise direction, circling the abdomen. It isessential that the individual work clockwise in order to follow thenatural direction of digestion in the colon.

In an alternative embodiment, the abdominal massage may be completed bykeeping the knees up and feet on the floor, rather than placing the feettogether with, the knees open.

Viparita Karani Pose

To prepare for the next pose, the individual sits adjacent to a wall andswings their legs up the wall so they are forming an “L” shape withtheir hack on the floor and legs up the wall. By bending the knees withthe feet on the wall to lilt the hips, the individual places a firstball on the sacrum and positions it until the pelvis is level, restingthe pelvis of the first ball. A rendering of this pose can be seen inFIG. 5. Once in this position, the individual may place a second ballbetween the legs, above the knees, and squeezes the second ball.

Half-Shoulder Stand Pose:

The individual now rests on the floor with the their feet up the wall,and places a first ball between the legs just above the knees. Bendingthe knees and placing the feet flat on the wall, hip distance apart,with a gentle squeeze to hold the first ball between their knees, theindividual lifts their hips into a half-shoulder stand with the feetstill on the wall, as seen in FIG. 6. By pressing their feet and gentlysqueezing their knees, the pose is stabilized.

Full Shoulder Stand (Augmentation of Half Shoulder Stand):

The individual then rotates their shoulders under their body, supportingtheir back with their hands, and lifts their feet away from the wall,coming into a long straight line with their body, continuing to squeezethe first ball between their inner thighs. A rendering of this pose canbe seen in FIG. 10.

Inverted Baddha Konasana:

The individual then unwinds from the previous pose and lays on theirback with their feet up the wall, placing the pelvis on a first ball. Bybending the knees and gently pressing the knees toward the wall, theindividual opens their hips allowing the first ball to massage thesacral plexus of nerve endings at the base of the spine, calming thenervous system. A rendering of this pose can be seen in FIG. 7 (ballshown in phantom).

Inverted Upavistha Konasana:

In the next pose, seen in FIG. 8, the individual continues with theirlegs up the wall as in the previous pose, and begins to open their legsinto a wide straddle with the feet flexed ending in a wide “v” up thewall, pelvis still resting on the first ball. This pose opens the innergroins and hips and increases the energy in the reproductive organs,particularly the ovaries. A rendering of this pose can be seen in FIG.8.

Savasana

In completing the series of poses, the individual unwinds from theprevious pose, removing all balls and lays on their back with theirknees spread and soles of their feet touching. Rubbing hands together tocreate heat, the individual places the warm hands on the belly forming adownward facing triangle, with the thumbs touching at the belly button,and the fore fingers touching near the pubic bone. This pose is known asSavasana, for which a rendering can be seen in FIG. 9.

An alternate hand position in Savasana is the left hand over the heart,with the right hand on the abdomen.

Another alternative position in Savasana consists of allowing theindividual's arms to stretch open by their side and placing either theirmiddle finger or their forefinger touching the thumb.

Various embodiments of the subject matter are described above in theDetailed Description. While these descriptions directly describe theabove embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art mayconceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodimentsshown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations thatfall within the purview of this description are intended to be includedtherein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of theinventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims begiven the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill inthe applicable art(s).

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the subject matterknown to the applicant at this time of filing the application has beenpresented and is intended for the purposes of illustration anddescription. The present description is not intended to be exhaustivenor limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed and manymodifications and variations are possible in the light of the aboveteachings. The embodiments described serve to explain the principles ofthe subject matter and its practical application and to enable othersskilled in the art to utilize the subject matter in various embodimentsand with various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated. Therefore, it is intended that the subject matter not belimited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out thesubject matter.

While particular embodiments of the present subject matter have beenshown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the artthat, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may bemade without departing from this subject matter and its broader aspectsand, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scopeall such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit andscope of this subject matter. It will be understood by those within theart that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open”terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “includingbut not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “havingat least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but isnot limited to,” etc.).

1. A method of treating infertility through exercise utilizing at leastone elastic ball, comprising the steps of: a) sitting in a cross leggedposition, placing a first elastic ball beneath sit bones toward aperineum floor, and breathing deeply for at least 1 minute; b) laying ona back with knees bent, feet and knees hip distance apart, placing thefirst elastic ball at a sacrum with hips resting on the first elasticball and rotating hips clockwise on the first elastic ball; c) laying onthe back with knees bent, feet and knees a hip distance apart, placingthe first elastic ball at the sacrum with hips resting on the firstelastic ball and rotating hips counter-clockwise on the first elasticball; d) placing a second elastic ball between the knees at the innerthighs, and squeezing and pulsing the second elastic ball between theknees; e) removing the first elastic ball from beneath the sacrum, andsqueezing the second elastic ball up and down the inner thighs; f)laying on the back, with soles of the feet together and knees open,placing the first elastic ball on an abdomen with left and right handsresting on top of the first elastic ball, and gently pushing down on thefirst elastic ball for at least one second; g) moving down centerline ofthe abdomen with left and right hands resting on top of the firstelastic ball, gently pushing down on the first elastic ball for at leastone second at various intervals, continuing to a pubic bone; h) startingat the pubic bone with left and right hands resting on top of the firstelastic ball, moving in a clockwise motion, circling the first elasticball to the right of the abdomen, gently pushing down for at least onesecond at various intervals, continuing clockwise around the abdomen tothe pubic bone; i) pausing and breathing for at least one minute; j)starting at the pubic bone with left and right hands resting on top ofthe first elastic ball, moving the first elastic ball in a clockwisedirection, making circles around the abdomen, continuing to the pubicbone; k) pausing and breathing for at least one minutes; l) swinging thelegs up a wall with the back on a floor creating an “L” shape with thebody, bending the knees with the feet on the wall to lift the hips, andpositioning the first elastic ball at the sacrum; m) placing the secondelastic ball between the knees and squeezing the second elastic ball; n)lifting the hips above the shoulders, standing with the feet pressing onthe wall and the knees gently squeezing the second elastic ball; o)swinging the legs up the wall with the back on the floor creating an “L”shape with the body, placing the first elastic ball at the pelvis andbending the knees into the wall with the soles of the feet touching,pressing the knees toward the wall, holding for at least one minute; andp) opening the legs from the knees, pressing the legs towards the walland flexing the feet.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprisingpracticing pranayama in conjunction with breathing deeply for at least 1minute.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising lifting the hipsinto the shoulders, supporting the back with the hands and lifting thefeet away from the wall, coming to a long straight line with the body,holding for at least one minute, to be performed before the step o, andafter the step n.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising laying onthe back with the knees open with the soles of the feet touching,rubbing the hands together to create heat and placing the hands on theabdomen with thumbs touching at a belly button and forefingers touchingnear the pubic bone, to be performed after the step p.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising laying on the back with the knees open andthe soles of the feet touching, rubbing the hands together to createheat and placing the left hand on top of a heart and the right hand ontop of the abdomen, to be performed after the step p.
 6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising laying on the back with the knees open andthe soles of the feet touching, allowing arms to stretch open by theside of the body and touching a middle finger to a thumb, to beperformed after the step p.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprisinglaying on the back with the knees open and the soles of the feettouching, allowing arms to stretch open by the side of the body andtouching a forefinger to a thumb, to be performed after the step p. 8.An exercise method utilizing at least one elastic ball, comprising thesteps of: a) sitting in a cross legged position, placing a first elasticball beneath sit bones toward a perineum floor; b) laying on a back withknees bent, feet and knees a hip distance apart, placing the firstelastic ball at a sacrum with hips resting on the first elastic ball androtating the hips clockwise on the first elastic ball, then rotating thehips counter- clockwise on the first elastic ball; c) placing a secondelastic ball between the knees at the inner thighs, and squeezing andpulsing the second elastic ball between the knees; d) removing the firstelastic ball from beneath the sacrum, and squeezing the second elasticball up and down the inner thighs; e) laying on the back, with soles ofthe feet together and knees open, placing the first elastic ball on theabdomen with left and right hands resting on top of the first elasticball, and gently pushing down on the first elastic ball; f) moving thefirst elastic ball down a centerline of the belly with left and righthands resting on top of the first elastic ball, gently pushing down onthe first elastic ball at various intervals, continuing to a pubic bone;g) starting at the pubic bone with left and right hands resting on topof the first elastic ball, moving the first elastic ball in a clockwisemotion, circling the first elastic ball to the right of the abdomen,gently pushing down at various intervals, continuing clockwise aroundthe abdomen to the pubic bone; h) starting at the pubic bone with leftand right hands resting on top of the first elastic ball, moving thefirst elastic ball in a clockwise direction, making circles around theabdomen, continuing to the pubic bone; i) swinging legs up a wall withthe back on the floor creating an “L” shape with the body, bending theknees with the feet on the wall to lift the hips, and positioning thefirst elastic ball at the sacrum; j) placing the second elastic ballbetween the knees and squeezing the second elastic ball; k) lifting thehips above the shoulders, standing with the feet pressing on the walland the knees gently squeezing the second elastic ball; l) swinging thelegs up the wall with the back on the floor creating an “L” shape withthe body, placing the first elastic ball at the pelvis and bending theknees into the wall with the soles of the feet touching, pressing theknees toward the wall; and m) opening the legs from the knees, pressingthe legs towards the wall and flexing the feet.
 9. The method of claim 8further comprising lifting the hips above the shoulders, supporting theback with the hands and lifting the feet away from the wall, coming to along straight line with the body, to be performed before the. step I,and after the step k.
 10. The method of claim 8 further comprisinglaying on the back with the knees open with soles of the feet touching,rubbing the hands together to create heat and placing the hands on theabdomen with thumbs touching at a belly button and forefingers touchingnear the pubic bone, to be performed after the step m.
 11. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising laying on the back with the knees open andsoles of the feet touching, rubbing the hands together to create heatand placing the left hand on top of a heart and the right hand on top ofthe abdomen, to be performed after the step m.
 12. The method of claim 8further comprising laying on the back with the knees open and soles ofthe feet touching, allowing arms to stretch open by the side of the bodyand touching a middle finger to a thumb, to be performed after the stepm.
 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising laying on the back withthe knees open and soles of the feet touching, allowing arms to stretchopen by the side of the body and touching a forefinger to a thumb, to beperformed after the step m.
 14. An exercise method for treatinginfertility utilizing at least one elastic ball, comprising the stepsof: performing a sukhasana pose incorporating the at least one elasticball; followed by performing a supine supported bridge poseincorporating the at least one elastic ball; followed by performing anabdominal massage pose incorporating the at least one elastic ball;followed by performing an inverted baddha konasana pose incorporatingthe at least one elastic ball; followed by performing an invertedupavistha konasana pose incorporating the at least one elastic ball;followed by performing a viparita karani pose incorporating the at leastone elastic ball; followed by performing a half-shoulder stand poseincorporating the at least one elastic ball; and followed by performinga savasana pose.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a fullshoulder stand pose, performed before the savasana, and after thehalf-shoulder stand pose.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprisinglaying on a back with knees open and soles of the feet touching, rubbinghands together to create heat and placing the hands on an abdomen withthumbs touching at the abdomen and forefingers touching near a pubicbone, to be performed during the savasana pose.
 17. The method of claim14 further comprising laying on a back with knees open and soles: of thefeet touching, rubbing hands together to create heat and placing a lefthand on top of a heart and a right hand on top of an abdomen, to beperformed during the savasana pose.
 18. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising laying on a back with knees open and soles of the feettouching, allowing arms to stretch open by a side of a body and touchinga middle finger to a thumb, to be performed during the savasana pose.19. The method of claim 14 further comprising laying on a back withknees open and soles of the feet touching, allowing arms to stretch openby a side of the body and touching a forefinger to a thumb, to beperformed during the savasana pose.
 20. An exercise method for treatinginfertility utilizing at least one elastic ball, comprising the stepsof: performing a sukhasana pose incorporating the at least one elasticball; performing a supine supported bridge pose incorporating the atleast one elastic ball; performing an abdominal massage poseincorporating the at least one elastic ball; performing a viparitakarani pose incorporating the at least one elastic ball; performing ahalf-shoulder stand pose incorporating the at least one elastic ball;performing an inverted baddha konasana pose incorporating the at leastone elastic ball; performing an inverted upavistha konasana poseincorporating the at least one elastic ball; and performing a savasanapose.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising a full shoulderstand pose, performed before the inverted baddha konasana pose, andafter the half-shoulder stand pose.
 22. The method of claim 20 furthercomprising laying on a back with knees open and soles of the feettouching, rubbing hands together to create heat and placing the hands onan abdomen with thumbs touching at the abdomen and forefingers touchingnear a pubic bone, to be performed during the savasana pose.
 23. Themethod of claim 20 further comprising laying on a back with knees openand soles of the feet touching, rubbing hands together to create heatand placing a left hand on top of a heart and a right hand on top of anabdomen, to be performed during the savasana pose.
 24. The method ofclaim 20 further comprising laying on a back with knees open and solesof the feet touching, allowing arms to stretch open by a side of a bodyand touching a middle finger to a thumb, to be performed during thesavasana pose.
 25. The method of claim 20 further comprising laying on aback with knees open and soles of the feet touching, allowing arms tostretch open by a side of the body and touching a forefinger to a thumb,to be performed during the savasana pose.